The government will destroy vessels and buildings suspected to be conduits of drug trafficking, Deputy President William Ruto warned Tuesday.

He described drug barons as heartless brutes bent on wrecking the lives of young people with their evil businesses.

“We are saying here today | Tuesday | that the Jubilee government has no friendship with drug barons and their associates. We shall continue to sink and destroy their ships and other vessels, which are used to ferry narcotic drugs to Kenya and which are destroying our youth,” he said at the Red Cross Social Hall in Malindi town, during a meeting to campaign for Jubilee Alliance Party candidate Philip Charo, who is fighting it out with Orange Democratic Party’s William Mtengo.

Mr Ruto told residents that they would soon see the government pulling down stores and shutting down all businesses dealing in drugs.

“Why do you destroy other peoples’ children while yours are comfortable in school? We cannot allow this. Our government will protect Kenya’s children,” he said and asked leaders and residents to be ready to expose those behind the trade.

Mr Ruto used the meeting to drum up support for Mr Charo in the March 7 by-election, saying by voting for him, the area would be assured of development. He said the government was already working on several projects in Malindi and the Coast.

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“We have set aside Sh380 million for the expansion of Malindi Airport and Sh400 million for settling down those who have been occupying the facility’s land,’’ he said, adding that the contractor who will tarmack the Sala Gate road, which leads to the Tsavo National Park, will be on site in a month.

Mr Ruto announced that the government had reached a deal with the African Development Bank to build a dual carriageway from Malindi to Lunga Lunga to connect tourism spots at the Coast.

Mr Ruto took part in a road show in Malindi, bringing businesses to a standstill as he made stopovers to address the crowds.

He then went into a meeting with Muslim leaders, led by Mr Badawy, who asked him to help youths acquire identity cards and passports.

He also met with church leaders, led by Bishop Thomas Kakala of the Jesus Celebration Centre (JCC) at the Sea View Resort before addressing rallies at Furunzi and Shella ward.

Mr Ruto described Mr Charo as a credible leader who was behind many development projects in the constituency.

The Jubilee administration would soon resolve the thorny land issue at the Coast, he said.

“We have resolved the Waitiki land issue in Mombasa and we are now moving to Mtwapa and Malindi because we have the answer while our opponents have the question.

“In the last election, you were told not to vote for Uhuru and Ruto because they would be at the Hague. But God works in mysterious ways. You did not make a mistake by exercising your right to vote but this time please do not vote that way,” he said.